Twizy Tour 5 – Abergavenny – The Three Castles (33 miles)

Scenic circular route from Abergavenny joining three strategic border castles to the east of the town. These Norman castles, built in 12th and 13 th centuries, formed a defensive triangle, protecting the border country from Welsh attack.

Thank you to The Angel Hotel for submitting this tour which starts at their hotel in the centre of town.

Approx. 33 miles driving with three stops to visit White Castle, Grosmont Castle and Skenfrith Castle. Approximately 8 miles from the hotel to White Castle, then 6 miles to Grosmont Castle, and 5 miles to Skenfrith Castle with a final 14 miles back to the Angel Hotel.

Places of Interest

White Castle: Isolated, moated castle. The best preserved of the Three Castles. Open 10am – 5pm. Admission prices (31 March 2012 – 31 October 2012) Adult £2.80, Family £8.00, Concessions £2.40. Admission free at other times.

Skenfrith Castle: On the banks of the river Monnow which, in places, forms the boundary between Wales and England. Free admission. The village holds a produce market on the second Saturday of each month 10am -1pm, and the village shop (open 12 noon to 6pm weekends and bank holidays from March to October) offers light refreshments and local produce.

Each castle is just a short walk from where you can park the Twizy but the routes can be muddy in parts after rainfall. Walks are naturally taken at your own risk; sensible footwear is essential and wet weather clothing is recommended as the weather can change quickly. Please follow the Countryside Code:

Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs

Leave gates and property as you find them

Protect plants and animals and take your litter home

Keep dogs under close control

Consider other people

Maps

These Twizy Tour directions are not a substitute for a decent road map of the area, and for further detail you may wish to use the Ordnance Survey Landranger Map Sheet 161 (1:50 000) The Black Mountains. This can be purchased from Abergavenny Bookshop, higher up Cross Street, on the corner by the Market Hall.

At next roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A40 heading into Abergavenny.

0.6 mile

5

At the traffic lights opposite a petrol station turn left onto Hereford Road/B4521.

0.5 mile

6

After passing a corner shop on your left, take the second right into Grosvenor Road/B4521.

>0.1 mile

7

Continue along the B4521.

6 miles

8

After passing through Llanvetherine turn right where you see a brown tourism sign for WHITE CASTLE.

0.9 mile

9

Turn right again to arrive at WHITE CASTLE.

0.1 mile

10

Retrace the route to the main road B4521.

1 mile

11

Turn right onto B4521.

1.6 mile

12

Just after the restaurant 1861 on your left, turn left.

0.9 mile

13

Turn left again.

0.3 mile

14

Take the first right towards Grosmont.

2.5 miles

15

Turn right onto B4347 and go downhill. This is the main street of Grosmont and it is usually possible to park here. Just past the village store you can walk to the right for the church and to the left for GROSMONT CASTLE.

>0.1 mile

16

Leave Grosmont at the bottom of the village on the B4347, heading southeast.

1.2 miles

17

Turn left to stay on B4347.

0.6 mile

18

Keep right at the fork.

2.4 miles

19

Turn left onto B4521 heading towards Skenfrith.

0.7 mile

20

In Skenfrithtake the first left and park on the right by the castle walls.

>0.1 mile

21

From the car parking area, head back to the main road and turn right onto B4521.

4.2 miles

22

Continue along B4521 heading back towards Abergavenny.

14 miles

23

At the T-junction in Abergavenny, turn left onto Hereford Road, heading downhill into the centre of the town.

0.6 mile

24

Once you reach the crossroads outside The Angel Hotel, go straight over into the narrow Lower Castle Street, which runs alongside the hotel. Turn right into the hotel car park.